From a state champion RB to a versatile kicker, here’s what UW has so far with its 2018 walk-ons

You know about the Top 10 recruiting class Washington just signed. But how much is known about the preferred walk-on’s who will play next season with the Huskies?

Seattle O’Dea running back Jamyn Patu and Half Moon Bay (Calif.) kicker Dylan Williams both committed to the Huskies on National Signing Day. UW did not include Patu and Williams in its Signing Day release because the school cannot officially comment on unsigned commits because they’re still recruitable players for other schools.

It’s likely the Huskies will add more preferred walk-ons in the coming weeks. And when they do come along, they’ll be added to this list. For now, here’s a quick glance at the walk-ons who in 2018 are heading to Montlake.

JAMYN PATU, RB

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Patu was one of the biggest reasons the Fighting Irish tore through its competition en route to winning a state championship during the 2017 season.

He averaged 8.9 yards per carry while running 245 times for 2,181 yards and 28 touchdowns as a senior. As a junior, he broke through for 1,586 yards and 14 TDs while averaging 8.6 yards per carry.

The 6-foot and 195-pound running back was a member of The News Tribune’s preseason all-state team. He was later named The Associated Press’ Washington Player of the Year.

Patu wasn’t rated by any of the recruiting services but his 247 Sports profile shows he was offered by Central Washington and Montana.

It appears there was at least a little bit of interest from Arizona State, Montana State and Washington State, too.

UW signed one running back, three-star prospect Richard Newton, in its 2018 class. With Newton signed and Patu on board, the Huskies will have eight running backs on the roster next season.

DYLAN WILLIAMS, K

Like any kicker, the first statistic anyone looks for is accuracy.

Williams went 10-for-12 on field goals during the 2017 season. That comes out to a conversion rate of 83.3 percent. And he was perfect on extra points, nailing all 73 of his attempts.

As a junior, Williams was 6-for-8 on field goals. He was also 51-for-57 on extra point attempts.

Williams was rated as the No. 42 kicker in the nation by ChrisSailerKicking.com, which covers the recruitment of kickers and punters.

The site’s profile page for Williams states he’s a Division I prospect who is “a great looking athlete with a very strong leg.”

His athleticism and versatility also lends itself to being used in several ways. Williams showed progress in a number of areas from his junior to senior year.

In 2016, 37 of his 83 kickoffs were touchbacks. A year later, 79 of 96 attempts went for touchbacks.

Williams only punted six times as a junior but averaged 40.8 yards per attempt. He received more attempts the following year. Williams launched 16 attempts at an average of 27.8 yards. The thing to keep in mind? He at at least five punts of more than 40 yards including one 60-yards attempt.

The Huskies lost Tristan Vizcaino to graduation but will have four kickers for next year once Williams arrives.